Police in Nakasongola district have arrested a school cleaner on charges of aggravated defilement after eight pupils at Ekitingala Primary School in Kakooge sub-county accused him of sexually abusing them.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savanah Police region spokesperson, identified the suspect as Sam Mayanja and the cases of aggravated defilement allegedly occurred between 2023 and July 2024 at the school.
“It is alleged that eight pupils at Ekitangala Primary School were sexually abused by the said suspect. Preliminary observations indicate that between 2023 and July 2024, at Ekitangala Primary School, Mayanja, a shambaman at the said school allegedly defiled some pupils. The suspect was staying with the victims at his home located within Ekitangala Primary School,” Twiineamazima said.
He explained that on July 24, 2024, “a meeting was held at school to discuss the matter where the victims were called in and they disclosed to the administration the evil the suspect has been doing to them.”
The matter was reported to Kakooge Police Station, they responded immediately, a case of aggravated defilement was opened; the scene was visited and documented by the scene of crime officers.
“Statements were recorded from relevant witnesses and victims; all victims were examined and the abuser was arrested and detained at Central Police Station Nakasongola district for further investigations,” Twiineamazima added.
He said further updates will be provided as more information is gathered.
The 2023 Annual Police Crime Report indicated that 12,771 cases of defilement were reported to the police in 2023, representing a 1.5% increase from the previous year. 300 of the victims were infected with HIV.
